Spirit Jar Collection

Isopod, Glyptonotus antarcticus
Specimen collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Starfish, Luidia scotti
Specimen collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Jacksons chameleon specimen
Jacksons chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) specimen preserved in a spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Leiopelma hamiltoni
Hamiltons frog is probably one of the rarest frogs in the world. Donated in 1922 by the Dominion Museum in New Zealand

Starfish specimen C016 / 6198
Starfish (Luidia scotti). Specimen collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Isopod specimen C016 / 6199
Isopod (Glyptonotus antarcticus). Specimen collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Western green snake C016 / 5880
Western green snake (Philothamnus irregularis) specimen preserved in a spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Western green snake C016 / 5879
Western green snake (Philothamnus irregularis) specimen preserved in a spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Squid specimen C016 / 5878
Squid specimen. Specimen jar containing a squid (order Teuthida) held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Preserved zoological specimens C016 / 5868
Variety of zoological specimens preserved in spirit jars held at the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Preserved zoological specimens C016 / 5867
Variety of zoological specimens preserved in spirit jars held at the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Rattail fish specimen C016 / 5671
Rattail fish (Coryphaenoides sp.) specimen preserved in a jar. This specimen was collected in 1874 south of Australia, on The Voyage of H.M.S

The Tank Room, Darwin Centre
The Tank Room in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Moving specimens to the Darwin Centre
Moving zoological specimens from the old Spirit Building to the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Chamaeleo jacksonii, Jacksons chameleon
Jacksons chameleon specimen in spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London. This image is on display in the link corridor from the Life Galleries to the Darwin Centre

Fish specimens
Specimen jars containing fish, held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London. Notice how over time the specimen jars have been warped by gravity and are no longer straight

Juvenile fish specimens
Specimen jar containing juvenile fish, held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Darwin Centre storage room for specimens in spirit
Zoological specimens in one of the storage rooms in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Parasitic worms in spirit jars. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Marine specimens preserved in spirit jars
Specimen jar containing various marine creatures, in the former spirit building, which is now stored in the Tank Room of the Darwin Centre at the Natural Histroy Museum, London

Argyropelecus sp. hatchetfish
Specimen jar containing hatchetfish (Argyroplectus sp.), held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Philothamnus irregularis, western green snake
Western Green Snake specimen in spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London. This image is on display in the link corridor from the Life Galleries to the Darwin Centre

Marine specimens
Specimen jars containing various sea creatures, held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Oliver Crimmen with fish specimens held in the Darwin Centre at The Natural History Museum, London

Synaphobranchus kaupi, arrowtooth eel
Specimen jar containing many arrowtooth eels (Synaphobranchus kaupi), held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Zoological specimens in the Spirit Building awaiting movement to the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Spirit jars containing small lizards
Specimens collected by Charles Darwin (1809-1882) during his Beagle Voyage, now held by the Natural History Museum, London

Specimen label
Scientist writing a specimen label in indelible ink on paper for a specimen held in spirit, at the Natural History Museum, London

Cetacea (order), cetacean stomach contents
Stomach contents of a Cetacean (either a whale, dolphin or a porpoise) preserved in a spirit jar. Specimen stored at the Natural History Museum, London

Curator checking specimens
Curator checking zoological specimens at The Natural History Museum, London

Emydoidea blandingi, Blandings terrapin
Small North American Blandings terrapins. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Ophiroid brittle stars
These invertebrates can occur in huge numbers on the deep ocean floor. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Reptile specimens in the Darwin Centre
Various reptile specimens stored in spirit in the Darwin Centre, at the Natural History Museum, London

Crocodilus niloticus, Nile crocodile eggs
The Natural History Museums collections include examples of earlier life history stages as well as adults, and these are also preserved in spirit

Antarctic Discovery Collections
Specimens preserved in toxic formalin carry clear hazard labels to alert researchers. This batch forms a very small part of the extensive Antartic Discovery Collections

Scientist at work adding alcohol to a specimen jar
An end to the effort of moving large volumes of spirit around the storerooms by hand, in the Darwin Centre alcohol is available at the workbench on tap

Zoological specimens
Specimen jars stored in the Darwin Centre, at the Natural History Museum, London. Assembled over hundreds of years, these specimens are still highly relevant to contemporary biological research

Pomacanthus imperator, emperor angel fish

Mantella pulchra, frog
This small frog specimens tissues have been cleared and the skeleton stained with alizarin. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Notostomus perlatus, caridean shrimp
Specimen jars containing type specimens of the caridean shrimp (Notostomus perlatus). Type specimens provide a vital point of reference for taxonomists seeking to confirm an identification or

Freshwater snails
Specimen jar containing some freshwater snails, held at the Natural History Museum, London

Zoological specimens in the Darwin Centre
Specimens in spirit jars stored in the Darwin Centre, at the Natural History Museum, London. Assembled over hundreds of years

Bulinus sp. snails
Specimen jar containing snails (Bulinus). These snails act as intermediate hosts for the parasite of the tropical disease bilharzia. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Specimen jars containing crustaceans
Shelves of specimen jars containg crustaceans

Lizard specimen held in the Darwin Centre
Lizard specimen in a spirit jar held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Specimens in spirit jars
A variety of zoological specimens in spirit jars held at the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Squid specimen
Specimen jar containing squid, held in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Alytes obstetricans, midwife toad
This male midwife toad is carrying an egg string. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

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"Unveiling the Enigmatic World: A Journey into the Spirit Jar" Step into a realm where curiosity meets fascination, as we delve into the captivating world of the spirit jar. Within this glass sanctuary lies an assortment of preserved zoological specimens that offer glimpses into extraordinary creatures and their intricate lives. Behold, a squid specimen (C016 / 5878), frozen in time with its tentacles gracefully extended, forever suspended in eternal motion. Its mysterious allure beckons us to unravel the secrets of the deep sea. Next, our attention turns to an isopod known as Glyptonotus antarcticus (C016 / 6199). With its armored exoskeleton and remarkable adaptability to extreme conditions, it serves as a testament to nature's resilience. A starfish specimen named Luidia scotti (C016 / 6198) captures our imagination with its mesmerizing array of arms reaching out like celestial rays. Each limb tells a story of regeneration and survival against all odds. Intriguingly camouflaged within these jars is Jacksons chameleon (C016 / 5880), showcasing its ability to blend seamlessly with its surroundings while observing us with curious eyes. Its presence reminds us of nature's incredible diversity. Meet Leiopelma hamiltoni, a unique amphibian species found only in New Zealand. This tiny representative from C016 / 5879 symbolizes conservation efforts and highlights the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems for future generations. The Philothamnus irregularis or western green snake (C016 / 5879) slithers through our thoughts next—a creature embodying elegance and stealthy grace amidst lush vegetation—an embodiment of serpentine beauty. Returning once more to starfish specimen C016 / 6198—its vibrant colors radiating life even after preservation—we are reminded that every organism has a story worth telling; a story that transcends time and space.